Syria09 May, 20263 min read
Lebanon And Syria Conclude Damascus Talks, With Nawaf Salam Citing Significant Progress
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Security and border issues discussed during Lebanon-Syria talks. Israel-related negotiations are underway in the region.
Damascus talks on shared interests
Lebanon and Syria concluded talks in Damascus focused on joint interests as both countries pursue a rapprochement following the overthrow of longtime Syrian president Bashar al-Assad almost 18 months ago. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said “significant progress” had been made in discussions with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa covering security, transport, infrastructure, and economic matters. The talks also covered the release of Syrian prisoners held in overcrowded Lebanese jails, with Salam saying, “We discussed continuing efforts to address the issue of detained Syrians [in Lebanon] and to uncover the fate of the missing and forcibly detained in both countries,”.
Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett reported from Deraa that Salam’s visit prioritized border and security concerns, including the smuggling of people and goods across the porous 330-kilometre border shared by Lebanon and Syria. The meeting came as Lebanon prepared for another round of direct talks with Israel in Washington next week, with negotiations scheduled for Thursday and Friday and Salam saying he would prioritize reinforcing the current ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.
Ceasefire demands and prisoner release
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told Al Jazeera that Lebanon is working to solidify a ceasefire before the next round of negotiations with 'Israel', warning that if 'Israeli' aggression continues, the first item on the agenda will be establishing a permanent halt to hostilities. Salam emphasized that the goal of the talks is to move beyond the current conflict and reach a state of lasting stability, and he outlined stopping 'Israeli' attacks, securing the release of prisoners, and establishing a clear schedule for the withdrawal of 'Israeli' forces. Roya News said Salam told Al Jazeera that Lebanon is seeking US guarantees to assist in restoring its full sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that Salam reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restricting all weapons to the hands of the state alone.
In Al Jazeera’s account of the Damascus discussions, Salam said the talks also focused on strengthening cooperation and deepening ties between the two countries through collaboration on economic, social and cultural issues. Al Jazeera’s reporting from Deraa added that both countries are eager to crack down on Hezbollah, with Syria arresting what it described as “Hezbollah cells” allegedly plotting to assassinate senior government figures.
Integration talks and regional stakes
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused the Syrian Democratic Forces of blocking integration negotiations with Damascus, saying at a joint news conference in Damascus that “We find that the SDF have no real intention to make meaningful progress in the negotiations on integration with the Damascus administration.”
“We find that the SDF have no real intention to make meaningful progress in the negotiations on integration with the Damascus administration.”
Fidan also stressed that “The fact that the SDF are currently conducting some of their activities in coordination with Israel constitutes a major obstacle to the discussions held with Damascus,” linking the SDF’s actions to obstacles for talks with Damascus.
The Anadolu Ajansı report said the Turkish delegation included Hakan Fidan, Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and the head of intelligence Ibrahim Kalin, and that it was to meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Charaa and other senior Syrian officials.
Le Figaro reported that a new round of negotiations between Syria and Israel is taking place in Paris under American mediation, with Assaad al-Chaibani participating and the talks aiming to “reach a balanced security agreement” while remaining technically at war.
In the Al Jazeera Net analysis, political analyst Dr. Kamal Abdu described the timing of Salam’s visit as “very important,” saying it precedes potential negotiations between Lebanon and Israel and reflects an attempt to coordinate between the two countries after the region’s situation prevented joint Lebanese-Syrian negotiations with Israel.